Arthur, the Forsaken Scion (Part 1)

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Shieb Harry had unearthed a trove of useful intelligence for Du Chen. After relaying these findings to his elder brother, Steve, Du Chen began preparations for his Intensive Training.

On the third day, all new students gathered once more at the Battle God Square, where they had initially registered. They were then divided into groups based on their native tongues. Du Chen, alongside all students who spoke the common language of the Aethelgard Continent, was assigned to the second team. As fate would have it, during the formation of ranks, Annie—the very Demoness, Helen—stood directly behind Du Chen.

“Greetings, fellow student Francis,” Helen’s voice, soft as a whisper, drifted from behind him. “It seems we are not only neighbors but also destined to be in the same training group!”

“Is that so? One can never be too certain, can they?” Du Chen chuckled inwardly, wondering if she had truly failed to recognize him. Damn it all, he swore he’d wear an eye mask every time he donned his disguise from now on.

Helen, for her part, was also deep in thought. Could he truly be the Battle God she sought? She resolved to find an opportunity to test him during their training.

Just then, Du Chen spotted Steve not far off. Even more pleasantly, Sem, the Xino Dwarf he had befriended during the entrance examination, was also nearby. It appeared the dusty-faced little fellow was among the second batch of registrants.

“All new students, silence!” A burly man with a dark face and a thick black beard, clad in black battle armor, strode onto the high platform at the front of the square. His voice rumbled like distant thunder. “I am Dean Ricardo! Many students, however, secretly call me the Black-faced Devil. I quite fancy that moniker! You are welcome to use it yourselves, but I assure you, it won't be long before you realize this damned dark-faced fellow standing before you is far more terrifying than any demon!”

The Dean's inaugural address sent an ominous chill down the spines of the new students.

“I despise idle chatter! From this moment forth, send your servants and retinues back to the dorms, then run ten laps around Battle God Isle! You!” He pointed at a student directly in front of him. “Run with me! I warn you: anyone caught using battle qi during this run will be immediately expelled!”

“By the Battle God’s grace, no battle qi? I’m doomed!” wailed some students, still oblivious to the situation. The lamentations of the uninformed students echoed across the square. However, a select few, those who understood the 'ways of the world' and had received prior intel, wore expressions of serene confidence. They were, after all, prepared.

Du Chen didn't have the precise data for the circumference of Battle God Isle. Yet, after examining the academy's map and observing the sprawling landscape before him, he realized something profound. If Battle God Isle were the size of a man, then three thousand new students, strung out in a single winding line, would be no more than a tiny caterpillar crawling upon its skin.

As Ricardo led the run, he loudly declared the rules. They were simple: the crescent-shaped Battle God Isle featured two transit stations at its tips. Each student reaching these stations would receive a tag. Accumulating twenty such tags would signify the completion of ten laps. However, hidden surveillance points were strategically placed along the route to detect any use of battle qi. Discovery meant immediate expulsion.

The Black-faced Devil led the students for a single lap, ensuring they learned the path, then dismissed them to run on their own. He himself settled back on the starting square, a wooden stick clenched between his teeth, basking in the sun from a reclining chair.

Without the aid of battle qi, the physical disparities among the students became starkly apparent after just one lap. Most battle mages lagged behind, while Du Chen maintained a steady, unhurried pace at the forefront. Helen, for her part, remained steadfastly by his side.

“Student Francis, did you embark from Antwerp Port to reach the academy?” Helen inquired.

Du Chen answered casually, “All new students from the Lanning examination district boarded from Antwerp Port.”

“Oh, then when did you arrive at Antwerp Port? Did you witness that breathtaking siege of pythons?”

“Indeed. I was hiding in a basement at the time. Student Annie, did you see it?”

“Me? Heh heh, I did as well!”

Thus, they continued to run, each subtly probing the other. Laps two, three… By the fifth lap, dusk had begun to paint the sky. Du Chen, bolstered by his Lotus Internal Force, maintained his steady, unhurried pace. Helen, however, was clearly starting to struggle.

“Student Annie, it seems your stamina is waning. Perhaps you shouldn’t push yourself so hard. I’ll be taking my leave now!” Du Chen abruptly accelerated, effortlessly leaving Helen behind.

His physique is remarkably powerful! Helen tried to keep pace, but her will was stronger than her body. She watched Du Chen’s retreating back with a faint smile, then called out, “Hey, your constitution seems far more robust than that of a normal human!”

“My body underwent modifications; every teacher in the academy knows this. What’s so strange about running a little faster? Farewell, lovely Student Annie!”

Little girl, trying to test this old man? Du Chen chuckled to himself. By now, he had a clear understanding: Helen surely suspected his true identity, yet remained uncertain, hence her persistent probing.

He pressed on, and as he reached the edge of a dense jungle, he suddenly spotted his elder brother, Steve, and Sem, the Xino Dwarf, sitting by the roadside, panting heavily. “Hey, Big Bro, Sem, why have you stopped running?”

“Damn it, little brother! How can a battle mage’s physique compare to yours?”

Sem chimed in, shouting, “Brother Francis, hurry! The one in first place just lapped us. Go, run quickly, and claim first place yourself!”

“Alright, I’m off then!” Du Chen waved at them and accelerated once more. Since every teacher in the academy was aware of his modifications, claiming first place without battle qi was perfectly justifiable.

A short while later, during the sixth lap, Du Chen finally caught up to the current leader. What he saw made him freeze in surprise.

The first-place runner was a handsome, fair-haired youth in a white robe, though his slender frame and pallid complexion gave him a sickly appearance. Yet, he was gritting his teeth, running with desperate ferocity, his lips already pale from exertion. His stamina was clearly pushed to its absolute limit.

It was Arthur! Professor Mina had mentioned him—the wasted royal scion of the Renault Empire! The very 'task' that was destined to find him!

Seeing someone close behind, Arthur gritted his teeth anew and mustered another burst of speed. Damn it, someone actually caught up! No, he *had* to secure first place. As a wastrel unable to cultivate battle qi, this was his only chance to ever claim first place!

He quickened his pace, but Arthur’s stamina had already reached its breaking point. The preceding laps had been fueled purely by desperate willpower. Now, his stride abruptly faltered, his footing became unstable, and he tumbled to the ground.

“Student, are you alright?” Du Chen rushed forward and helped Arthur to his feet.

“Get away from me! I don't need your pity!” Arthur scrambled back up and stumbled onward. Damn it, I might be a wastrel, but I don't need anyone's pity!

Recognizing a similar struggle within himself, Du Chen understood Arthur’s sentiments to some extent. Thus, he didn't rush to overtake him, instead deliberately falling back a short distance. The lad was already pushing himself to his absolute limit; why antagonize him further? He decided to cede first place to Arthur, treating it as an act of charity.

Yet, it had to be said, for Arthur to be running in first place among three thousand examinees, his physical constitution was truly formidable. One must remember, many among these three thousand examinees were burly beastmen from the Great Plains, whose physiques far surpassed those of ordinary humans!

Du Chen shadowed Arthur for a while longer. As they entered a dense thicket, Arthur’s stamina finally gave out. His steps faltered, and with a soft thud, he collapsed headfirst.

Du Chen rushed forward, shouting as he ran, “Are there any hidden checkpoints nearby? Any teachers? My classmate has fainted!”

No one answered. The entire thicket was eerily silent and empty.

As Du Chen reached Arthur’s side, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. Where was this place? He had completed seven laps; the path should have been intimately familiar. Why had he never encountered this patch of woods before? And where were the other students? Three thousand individuals were running around Battle God Isle. While some dispersion was inevitable, it was inconceivable that not a single soul could be seen nearby.

Had he taken a wrong turn? Impossible! With his memory, how could he fail to recognize the route? He had been following Arthur, always along the academy’s designated route. Even if one could take a wrong turn, it was impossible for two people to make the same mistake simultaneously!

A sudden thought flashed through Du Chen’s mind: An Illusion Formation of a High-level Battle God?!

Just then, the three lotus flowers that had blossomed within Du Chen's body began to tremble violently. His Lotus Internal Force surged wildly outwards.

Danger!